Introduction- Goulburn-Broken Fishery Management Plan
Goulburn-Broken Fishery Management Plan 2011
The department works with recreational fishers and other interested stakeholders to facilitate the sustainable development of fisheries resources.
A key task in sustainable management is preparing and implementing fishery management plans that are consistent with the Victorian Government's commitment to:
- Provide high quality opportunities for recreational fishing
- Promote sustainable fisheries and fishing practices
- Consult with recreational fishing bodies to improve the range and extent of sustainable fishing opportunities
- Maximise the significant social and economic benefits to the community contributed by recreational fishing.
Fishery management plans are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Fisheries Act 1995 and specify the objectives, strategies, actions and performance measures for managing fishing activities in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development and Commonwealth and other State legislation and policy. Enhancing environmental, social and economic outcomes and the recognition of the importance of fisheries resources to Aboriginal communities are key objectives of effective fishery management and this management plan.
This fishery management plan specifies the objectives, strategies and actions for managing recreational fishing activities within the catchments of the Goulburn River, the Broken River and the Broken Creek (Figure 1). These waters include but are not limited to the Goulburn River, Lake Eildon and their tributaries, the Eildon Pondage, the Nagambie Lakes, Lake Nillahcootie and Waranga Basin. It supersedes the Goulburn Eildon Fishery Management Plan which specified management arrangements for Lake Eildon, the Goulburn River and their tributaries downstream to the Nagambie Lakes (Department of Natural Resources and Environment 2002a).
A critical step in the development of this plan was the steering committee's review of the Goulburn Eildon Fishery Management Plan which resulted in the following key recommendations:
- Advocate for positive recreational fishing outcomes
- Continue efforts to understand catch rates and angler satisfaction
- Continue to facilitate improved access to fishing areas
- Retain the concept of adaptive management as a core principle of effective fisheries management
- Support public water stocking in accordance with Victorian translocation policies and annual consultation processes
- Provide for strategic compliance outcomes that build on outcomes to-date
- Support the establishment by stakeholders of priority projects that enhance fishing opportunities and experiences
- Provide for the continued improvements in fish habitat
- Manage risks of fish losses associated with environmental conditions including natural disasters.
Key recreational fisheries management issues were identified during the four public meetings held at the start of developing this fishery management plan.
This fishery management plan builds on the outcomes of this consultation process and steering committee and other stakeholder input to describe the highest priority strategies and actions to mitigate identified issues and risks that could impact on recreational fishing in Victoria.
The authority to manage the State's fisheries rests in the Fisheries Act 1995, however many factors that influence the State's fisheries resources including catchment and water management practices, environmental protection and habitat and species conservation are managed under other legislation. Inland fishery management plans are therefore prepared with a strong focus on establishing partnerships with Commonwealth, State and local government, catchment management and water management agencies, representative bodies and other stakeholders. Fisheries Victoria will continue to advocate with relevant agencies for outcomes that benefit the State's recreational fisheries.
This management plan was prepared with the assistance of a stakeholder-based steering committee that included an independent Chair and representatives of Fisheries Victoria, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Goulburn-Murray Water, VRFish, the Australian Trout Foundation, the Victorian National Parks Association, Native Fish Australia, Mansfield Shire and small business (Appendix 1). A key goal of this management plan is to partner with other government and non-government agencies with the goal of enhancing the opportunities for quality recreational fishing experiences.A list of documents related to fisheries in the Goulburn-Broken region is found in Appendix 2